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Developments in Piedmont, 1849 to 54
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After 1849, Piedmont became a modern, liberal state. Its success made it the natural leader of Italian unification.
Victor Emmanuel II and the Statuto
Victor Emmanuel II kept the Statuto, so Piedmont had a parliament and some freedoms.
This attracted liberal exiles from other Italian states.
This attracted liberal exiles from other Italian states.
Cavour
Count Camillo di Cavour became Prime Minister in 1852.
He was practical and cautious, more interested in a strong Piedmont than in Mazzini's dream of a united republic.
He was practical and cautious, more interested in a strong Piedmont than in Mazzini's dream of a united republic.
Reforms
Economy: railways, banks, free-trade treaties and modern farming; trade grew fast.
Finance: reforms to taxes and borrowing to pay for growth.
Church: laws such as the Siccardi Laws (1850) reduced the Church's special legal privileges and later closed some monasteries.
Piedmont also built up its army.
Finance: reforms to taxes and borrowing to pay for growth.
Church: laws such as the Siccardi Laws (1850) reduced the Church's special legal privileges and later closed some monasteries.
Piedmont also built up its army.
Explain why Piedmont's reforms after 1849 mattered for Italian unification.
- Railways, trade and banks made Piedmont richer.
- A stronger economy paid for a stronger army.
- Its liberal constitution and success made other Italians look to it as leader.
Answer: They made Piedmont strong and attractive as the leader of Italy.
Victor Emmanuel II kept the Statuto. Cavour, Prime Minister from 1852, modernised the economy (railways, banks, free trade), reformed finances and reduced the Church's privileges, making Piedmont the strongest Italian state.
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